Tag Archives: Richebourg-L’Avoue

On this day 24th November 1915

No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]


Nov 24th. Set off to trenches at 9-30 a.m. to salvage boxes of bombs, but unable to get them in daylight, so went up again after tea, but could not find them in dark. Got rather wet.

[2305 Pte Frank Longson]

See here for more details on this trench duty.


3105 Pte James Edgar Brocklehurst, a miller from Wheatsheaf Farm in Matlock, was killed in action on this day and was the first man of the 1/6th Battalion to be buried in ST. VAAST POST MILITARY CEMETERY in RICHEBOURG-L’AVOUE.

3105 Brocklehurst3105 Brocklehurst effects

 

On this day 11th November 1915

1896 Pte. Reginald Draycott was killed in action and is buried in RUE-DES-BERCEAUX MILITARY CEMETERY at RICHEBOURG-L’AVOUE.

1896 Draycott attestationReginald enlisted in April 1913 aged 17 and served with “A” Company. He was blacksmith by trade and worked for the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company. Reginald lived with his parents at 64 Whittington Street in Old Whittington.

1896 Imperial 1913He signed the Imperial Service Agreement in Chesterfield on 28th April 1913, which was witnessed by Colonel John Morton Clayton.1896 Draycott

Reginald arrived in France with the 46th North Midland Division in February 1915 and was killed in action on the 11th November 1915; just 9 months later.1896 Draycott itemsHis few personal effects were returned to his family in January 1915 and they later received his medals in 1920-21.1896 Draycott medals1896 draycott medals 2

flanders_field

On this day 22nd January 1918

3026/240856 Pte. William Carrington died in Hospital.

He was taken sick at the 1st NMFA on 11th January and transferred to the 1st CCS and then the 13 General Hospital in Boulogne. He was diagnosed with valvular disease of the heart (VDH) and died 10 days later.

William Carrington enlisted into the 6th Reserve Battalion in October 1914 aged 22. He was a miner by trade and lived at 34 Queen Street in Mosborough near Sheffield. He transferred to the 1/6th Battalion on 16th August 1915 and arrived in France with the III Reinforcement on 19th August. William was twice taken sick in France; the first time with frost bite on 27th November 1915, whilst the Battalion were at Richebourg-L’Avoue and the second time in October 1917. On both occasions he rejoined the Battalion.

Carrington

The autopsy request signed by Lt. Henry L Forbes of the MEDICAL OFFICERS RESERVE CORPS, United Sates Army (for more information see here MORC USA). This form confirms that William was treated in the 13 (Harvard) American Red Cross Base Hospital.

Harvard USA

1st Lieutenant Henry Forbes (Surgeon) is seated amongst the staff of the hospital (above) prior to their departure to France in 1917.